Volume recorder

ABSTRACT

An automatic pulpwood recorder for measuring the volume of pulpwood loaded on a railroad car in which cameras are placed over and on each side of a railroad track and by means of carposition sensing switches the cameras are operated each time a car is centered with respect to the cameras.

United States Patent Inventor Bobby S. Woodruif [56] References Cited2308 Gallatin S.W., Huntsville, Ala. 35801 UNITED STATES PATENTS 2. fi i564,971 8/1896 Cline 356/164 gf .35 2,556,871 6/1951 Degnan 356/1642,665,608 1/ 1954 Clark 353/28 2,826,1[3 3/1958 New 356/164 PrimaryExaminer-Sam uel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Monroe H. HayesAttorneyC. A. 4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs. US. Cl 95/11, ABSTRACT: Anautomatic pulpwood recorder for measuring 73/149, 346/107, 353/28 thevolume of pulpwood loaded on a railroad car in which Int. Cl G03b 19/00cameras are placed over and on each side of a railroad track Field ofSearch 95/ l l; and by means of car-position sensing switches thecameras are 346/107; 73/149; 353/79, 80, 28; 356/156, 157, operated eachtime a car is centered with respect to the 164, 171 cameras. 1

l0 l2 Al N42 26 F l6 \\I l\\\\\ Q VOLUMERECORDER This invention relatesto volume measurement systems and particularly to a recording andmeasurement system for the measurement of pulpwood or other materialloaded on railroad cars.

Typically pulpwood is cut in foot lengths and stacked on rail cars intwo rows for shipment. The present method employed by the consignee ofthe shipment is to stop the train and manually measure with a tape theheight of log tiers on each side of each car in three locations and thendetermine an average height. With car length known and log lengthsassumed to be known, volume is computed as an approximate figure. Thisfigure is used for several purposes including the determination offreight to be paid the railroad company. The measurements are presentlymade by hand and result in considerable expense both from the point ofview of man power required to make the measurements and lost time forthe train and train crew during the stoppage required for themeasurements.

it is an object of the present invention to provide a means formeasurement of pulpwood on railroad cars which does not require manualmeasurement.

It is a further object of this invention to provide such a mea' surementsystem wherein it is unnecessary to actually bring railroad cars to ahalt.

It is a further object of this invention to improved the accuracy of themeasurements of the category described.

In accordance with the present invention, three cameras are positionedadjacent a railroad track to photograph moving railroad cars as theyreach a'point opposite the cameras. One of the cameras is positionedabove the car and it provides a photograph for measurement of the widthof the load at as many points along the load as deemed necessary foraccurate determination of a mean width. Typically points would be usedas will be described below. The other two cameras are positioned on eachside of the track and thus record the height of the load which may be,again, checked at as many points along the length of the car as deemednecessary. Both sides of the car are thus photographed in as much asgenerally two rows, end to end, of pulpwood logs are stacked across thecar so that the loading of one side of the car may, or may not, beidentical to the loading of the other side of the car.

The cameras are tripped, or the shutters actuated, by means of anelectrical system which senses when a railroad car occupies a centralposition with respect to the cameras at which time they are operated.Two sets of spaced -wheel proximity, or other electrical switches foroperating the cameras, are placed along the track, being spaced adistance corresponding to a distance which is twice the distance fromthe center of a car to the point on one end of the car which operates aswitch. in one embodiment of the invention, the switches are operated bytwo wheels of the end trucks of double truck equipped car. in order tomake the system responsive to different length cars, each set ofswitches includes as many individual switches as there are differentsize cars and spacing is dictated by the particular car lengthsinvolved. in accordance with one version of the system of thisinvention, the cameras require only one electrical signal to trip theshutters and advance the film for the next exposure. In a second versionof the system a separate set of electrical switches are employed toperform the film transport function. The second set of switches mayeither be an identical set but spaced from the first-set or may in factrepresent a set of time delayed switches which when energized by ashutter signal provide a delayed signal for operating the filmtransports of the cameras. An amount of delay may be regulated by aconventional resistance capacitance circuit to achieve whatever timedelay is necessary to give the shutters ample time for operation beforefilm transport for the next exposure occurs.

Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become moreapparent from the following description when considered together withthe accompanying drawings in which:

FlG. 1 is an electrical schematic circuit diagram of an embodiment ofthis invention;

FIG. 2 is an elevation view along a rail track showing the cameramounting arrangement of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the system shown in FIG. 2.

Referring now to the drawings, an electrically operated camera 10 ismounted on top horizontal member 12 of supporting frame 14 which isconstructed across rail track 16. Cameras 18 and 20 are mounted onvertical members 22 and 24 of frame 14, respectively. Camera 10 is thuspositioned to view the top and cameras 18 and 20 are positioned to viewthe sides of a rail car 26 passing along track 16. A first set of carposition detecting switching networks 28 are positioned along track 16on one side of frame 14 and a like set of car detecting switchingnetworks 30 are positioned along track 16 on the opposite side offramel4.

Switching networks 28 and 30 each consist of a network of 4 switches andare labeled switches 28a, b, c, and d and 30a, b, c, and d wherein likeletter identified switches are spaced a distance apart equal to thedistance between outer or extreme end wheels 32 and 34 of car 26. Asillustrated, switches 28a and 30a are positioned opposite wheels 32 and34 of car 26 and in this illustration car 26 represents the shortestlength car anticipated to be encountered by the system of thisinvention. The orientation and positioning of elements in this system,switching networks and cameras, are such that the outer wheels 32 and 34of a given rail car are simultaneously sensed by a like lettered set ofswitches to energize cameras l0, l8 and 20. Switches 28b and 30b areadapted to respond to the next larger size car, or b size car; switches28c and 30c are adapted to respond to a still larger car, which we willterm a c size car; and switches 28d and 30d are adapted to respond tothe largest size car or a d size car. Switches of switching networks 28and 30 are single-pole, single-throw, normally closed switches having anarm 36 which is operated by the leading edge of a wheel 32 or 34.Alternately, a switch of switching networks 28 or 30, might be of theproximity type in which the adjacent presence of a wheel 32 or 34operates this switch or any type of switch which is adapted to sense alike point of position of a rail car. For example, the switches ofswitching network 30 may be adapted to respond to the leading edge 38 ofa car 26 and the-switches of switching network 28 be adapted to respondto the trailing edge 40 of a rail car 26, in which case the individualswitches would be appropriately repositioned with respect to frame 14.Where the leading edge of an element of rail car 26 is employed, as inthe case of the leading edges of wheels 32 and 34 or leading edges 38and 40 of the ends of car 26, the arrangement would be such that the carwould be traveling in the direction of arrow 42. Actually the toleranceof positioning of switches of switching networks 28 and 30 is such thatthese switches may be positioned to be operated regardless of thedirection of movement of car 26 and in the case of switches adapted tobe operated by the leading edge 38 and trailing edge 40 of car 42 itwould only be necessary to change the logical function of the switchesin order to accommodate a car moving in the opposite direction. This canbe readily achieved by means of using combined normally open andnormally closed contact-type switches.

in order to insure that cameras 10, 18 and 20 are energized for asufficient period in order to accommodate the complete cycle of acamera, the operation of shutters followed by the transport of film forthe next exposure, despite varying periods of closing of the switches ofswitching networks 28 and 30, with varying speeds of car 26, the outputsof the switches produce fixed periods of camera energizing signals.Camera energizing circuit 44 consists of a double-pole, single-throwswitch 46 and timing circuit 48. Timing circuit 48 is aresistance-capacitance circuit employing resister 50 and capacitor 52which operates to hold relay 46 closed after the energizing potentialfrom switching networks 28 and 30 is removed. This is accomplished bymeans of charging capacitor 52 through resister 50 during the relativelylong period of time between camera operations, compared with the time ofactual operation. Resister 50 is sufficiently large in value so that thevoltage dropped across it would be too great to operate relay coil 54alone after the charge on capacitor-52 has dropped below a predeterminedvalue. As illustrated, cameras l0, l8 and 20 are powered throughcontacts 56 of relay 46 for the period of time that relay 46 isoperated. Since relay coil 54 is held on by capacitor 52 throughcontacts 58, once it has been closed by the signal through switchingnetworks 28 and 30 the operation of 54 is relatively independent ofswitching time of switching networks 28 and 30 and thus independent ofthe speed of a train of cars transisting the system. The period ofoperation of relay 46 is adjusted by the value of capacitor 52 to holdcontacts 56 closed sufficiently long for the shutters of cameras 10, 18and 20 to have been operated and the film transport mechanism of eachcamera to transport the film and reset the cameras forthe nextphotograph. While the actual electrical tripping and electrical filmtransport systems of the cameras are not shown, it is to be appreciatedthat cameras so equipped are commercially available.

To consider the operation of the system of this invention, assume thatcar 26 has just progressed to the point indicated and thus switches 28aand 30a are closed. When this occurs, power is applied through switches28a and 30a to coil 54 of relay 46. This causes relay contacts 56 and 58to be pulled closed. Cameras l0, l8 and 20 are energized throughcontacts 56 and as capacitor 52 continues to power relay coil 54 andhold contacts 56 and 58 closed after car 26 is passed beyond switches28a and 30a, power is continued to be supplied to cameras l0, l8 and 20for the predetermined period necessary to operate the shutters of thesecameras, take pictures of car 26 from both sides and the top and then tocause the film transport mechanism of these cameras to be advanced forthe taking of photographs of the next car behind car 26, not shown, Thisprocess continues from car to car and in this manner a photographicrecord of cars is made so long as film is in the cameras. Typically,cameras would contain film for 250 exposures which would be more thanadequate for a typical train of cars. The exposed film is processed inthe normal manner and projected upon a screen on which, for example, a

Simpson one-third rule graph is imprinted and the scale of the projectedimage adjusted to fit the graph. The two side photographs and topphotograph are graphically measured in this manner and the volume ofpulpwood in a car very accurately determined.

The invention disclosed herein provides an improved method of measuringpulpwood and any similar loaded materials on open cars. As described, itoffers the improvement that a train need not be stopped in order to makemeasurements and tedious, time consuming and costly hand measurementsare avoided. Further, by virtue of the final analysis of the projectedimages, it is very easy to determine not merely three points ofmeasurement (as normally the case with hand measurements) but points ofmeasurement and thus a much more accurate total volume determined.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An automatic pulpwood recorder comprising:

A. First, second and third electrically operated cameras,

each including means responsive to an electrical signal for taking apicture each time that a said electrical signal is received;

B. Mounting means for positioning said first camera on one side of arailroad track and oriented for viewing one side of a railroad carpassing along said track;

C. Mounting means for positioning said second camera 0 the opposite sideof said railroad track for viewing the opposite side of a railroad carpassing along said track;

D. Mounting means for positioning said third camera above a railroadtrack for viewing the top side of a said railroad car passing along saidtrack;

E. Camera control means comprising:

i. first position sensing meanspositioned at a first point along saidrailroad track for sensing a first point on a railroad car centered onsaid track with respect to said mounting means and of at least onepredetermined length, which point IS a predetermined distance from oneend of said railroad car, 1

2. second position sensing means positioned at a second point along saidrailroad track for sensing a second point on a said railroad car of atleast said one predetermined length, which second point is apredetermined distance from the opposite end of said railroad car, and

3. signal means responsive to said first and second position sensingmeans for providing an electrical signal to said first, second and thirdcameras each time that a said railroad car is in a position to operatesaid first and second position sensing means simultaneously whereby saidrailroad car is photographed from each side and from the top and thusrecording height and width of pulpwood on said railroad car.

2. A pulpwood recorder as set forth in claim 1 wherein the said firstposition sensing means further comprises means for sensing a said firstpoint on railroad cars of at least two different lengths and said secondposition sensing means further comprises means for sensing a said secondposition on railroad cars of at least two different lengths.

3. A pulpwood recorder as set forth in claim 2 wherein each saidposition sensing means includes one electrical switch for each saiddifferent length railroad car, said switches being spaced along saidrailroad track and adapted to be operated by a wheel of a said railroadcar passing a predetennined point.

4. A pulpwood recorder as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signalresponsive means comprises means responsive to the simultaneousoperation of a said switch of said first position sensing means and asaid switch of said second position sensing means for providing a saidelectrical signal to said first, second and third cameras of at least apredetermined duration, whereby the speed of passing of a said railroadcar and thus the period of operation of a said switch would not shortenthe period of said signal to said cameras, insuring that a signal ofsufficient duration is provided said cameras for their operation.

1. An automatic pulpwood recorder comprising: A. First, second and thirdelectrically operated cameras, each including means responsive to anelectrical signal for taking a picture each time that a said electricalsignal is received; B. Mounting means for positioning said first cameraon one side of a railroad track and oriented for viewing one side of arailroad car passing along said track; C. Mounting means for positioningsaid second camera on the opposite side of said railroad track forviewing the opposite side of a railroad car passing along said track; D.Mounting means for positioning said third camera above a railroad trackfor viewing the top side of a said railroad car passing along saidtrack; E. Camera control means comprising:
 1. first position sensingmeans positioned at a first point along said railroad track for sensinga first point on a railroad car centered on said track with respect tosaid mounting means and of at least one predetermined length, whichpoint is a predetermined distance from one end of said railroad car, 2.second position sensing means positioned at a second point along saidrailroad track for sensing a second point on a said railroad car of atleast said one predetermined length, which second point is apredetermined distance from the opposite end of said railroad car, and3. signal means responsive to said first and second position sensingmeans for providing an electrical signal to said first, second and thirdcameras each time that a said railroad car is in a position to operatesaid first and second position sensing means simultaneously whereby saidrailroad car is photographed from each side and from the top and thusrecording height and width of pulpwood on said railroad car.
 2. secondposition sensing means positioned at a second point along said railroadtrack for sensing a second point on a said railroad car of at least saidone predetermined length, which second point is a predetermined distancefrom the opposite end of said railroad car, and
 2. A pulpwood recorderas set forth in claim 1 wherein the said first position sensing meansfurther comprises means for sensing a said first point on railroad carsof at least two different lengths and said second position sensing meansfurther comprises means for sensing a said second position on railroadcars of at least two different lengths.
 3. signal means responsive tosaid first and second position sensing means for providing an electricalsignal to said first, second and third cameras each time that a saidrailroad car is in a position to operate said first and second positionsensing means simultaneously whereby said railroad car is photographedfrom each side and from the top and thus recording height and width ofpulpwood on said railroad car.
 3. A pulpwood recorder as set forth inclaim 2 wherein each said position sensing means includes one electricalswitch for each said different length railroad car, said switches beingspaced along said railroad track and adapted to be operated by a wheelof a said railroad car passing a predetermined point.
 4. A pulpwoodrecorder as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signal responsive meanscomprises means responsive to the simultaneous operation of a saidswitch of said first position sensing means and a said switch of saidsecond position sensing means for providing a said electrical signal tosaid first, second and third cameras of at least a predeterminedduration, whereby the speed of passing of a said railroad car and thusthe period of operation of a said switch would not shorten the period ofsaid signal to said cameras, insuring that a signal of sufficientduration is provided said cameras for their operation.